VIRTUAL BEVERAGE TRAINING
Jessica Altieri Corporate Director of Beverage,
VIRTUAL TRAINING FAQ
Overview
• We are excited to continue our virtual trainings for the 6th year in a row to keep your team inspired year-round. All trainings are opt-in and invites are sent to each DOFB annually.
• Trainings feature our core mandated partners and trending topic seminars from our featured supplier and distributor partners covering wine, beer, spirits and non-alc. items.
• Virtual trainings include a 6-month pre training planning, operational and logistical program to ensure participating team members have the product on hand for the virtual training.
• You will then be sent a Teams Invite where you will be able to participate in the training. Training kits are sent to the attendee and address provided in the sign-up link. Registration
• One sample kit is provided to each property that opts in. Teams do not have to utilize any funding to participate in the virtual trainings.
• Please select the trainings you would like to participate in and provide the requested information on the registration link provided.
ZERO-DEGREE LIBATIONS WITH LYRE’S
Training Details:
• Raise a mock margarita or a phony Negroni — Dry January is once again in full swing!
• According to the International Wine and Spirit Research Drinks Market Analysis, non-alc. consumption is expected to increase by a third by 2026. Consumers are increasingly reaching for low or N/A drinks more often.
• Lyre’s has quickly expanded into one of the global leaders in this category. They are now available in more than 60 countries and sell a bottle every 30 seconds.
• In this training, we will discuss N/A trends, cocktail inspirations and share luxury activation concepts with our partners from Lyre’s.
Topics we will cover:
• Core Mandated Lyre’s Products
• Premium Non-Alc. Trends
• Luxury Lyre’s Cocktail Inspirations and Activation Ideas
• Highly recommended Beverage Managers, banquet leads and servers attend.
VALENTINE’S DAY SIPS WITH PLANETA WINERY
Training Details:
• The Sicilian wine boom has been steadily increasing worldwide in large part to their unique varietals… and the popularity of the hit show “The White Lotus” at our Four Seasons Hotel in Taormina.
• Our beverage council noticed this growing trend and placed our first ever Sicilian rosé by the glass in our current core beverage program.
• You won’t want to miss this training featuring our core mandated Planeta rosé, as there will be an educational opportunity shared for the chance to visit Planeta Winery in Sicily!
Topics we will cover:
• Core Mandated Wine BTG Partner
• Sicilian Wine Basics You Should Know
• Diverse Sicilian Wine Types and Food Pairings
• New Product Sampling and Activation Ideation for Properties
• Highly recommended Beverage Managers and servers attend.
JERRY LUXURY GARNISH MASTERCLASS
March 12th at 4pET
Training Details:
• 70% of what we taste is actually what we're smelling, and with so many choices of a cocktail garnish to choose from how do you pick what type is best for you? The JERRY educational team is excited to share innovative garnish trends to keep your team ahead of the competition.
• This is a perfect opportunity to cover cocktail garnish basics and also answer any questions you may have about JERRY- the industry’s leading modern beverage learning and development resource.
• Topics we will cover:
• Garnish Essentials You Should Know
• Trending Luxury Garnishes to Implement
• Garnish Techniques
• Activation Ideations for Properties and a JERRY Overview
• Highly recommended Beverage Managers and servers attend.
SUMMER COCKTAIL TRENDS WITH RNDC
April 2nd at 4pET
Training Details:
• Summertime calls for refreshing your beverage menu while incorporating new trends and driving sales!
• In this training, we will discuss the latest trending beverages you should be on the lookout for, summer cocktail menu inspiration and share luxury cocktail activation concepts with our partners from RNDC.
Topics we will cover:
• Trending Summer Beverages
• Which Spirits Are Selling at our Properties?
• New Spirits You Should Know
• Cocktail Upselling Techniques
• Highly recommended Beverage Managers and servers attend.
BOSTON BEER MASTERCLASS WITH EXPERT ERIC MCCRORY
May 7th at 4pET
Training Details:
• Being one of the biggest names in American craft beer history, Sam Adams Brewery and Boston Beer, are attributed with starting the craft beer revolution.
• They even have a lager with a price tag of $240 called Utopias, which has earned its reputation as one of the world’s most sought-after beers!
• Make sure to join this training to learn more about our core beverage beer partner, their luxury offerings you should be carrying, and what makes this legendary beer house so special.
Topics we will cover:
• Discuss Beer Styles You Should Know
• Beer Upselling Techniques
• Unique Beer and Food Pairings
• New Product Sampling and Activation Ideation for Properties
• Highly recommended Beverage Managers and servers attend.
BOURBON BOOTCAMP WITH HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY
June 4th at 4pET
Training Details:
• Legend has it that bourbon was first produced by Reverend Elijah Craig in June 1789, which is why we celebrate National Bourbon Day each June!
• To honor this celebration, we will be meeting with our core mandated partner the iconic Heaven Hill Distillery.
• We will discuss this legendary distillery, all the bourbon basics you should know, bourbon and food pairings, educational opportunities and how to get those highly allocated items you love!
Topics we will cover:
• What Makes Heaven Hill Distillery So Special?
• Key Bourbon Facts To Know
• Bourbon and Food Pairings
• Top Selling and Highly Allocated Products
• Educational Experience Opportunities
• Highly recommended Beverage Managers and servers attend.
MEZQUILA TRAINING WITH FOOD NETWORK STAR
July 9th at 4pET
Training Details:
• Santo Mezquila is the world’s first agave blend made from 100% Blue Weber Agave and 100% Espadin Agave.
• Rocker Sammy Hagar, celebrity Chef Guy Fieri and Juan Eduardo Nuñez, 3rd generation master distiller are behind this powerhouse located in Jalisco, Mexico.
• Sammy’s history of making world-renowned tequila, Guy’s worldfamous taste buds, and Juan’s award-winning craftsmanship, bring to life the portfolio of the award-winning Santo spirits.
• In this training, we will discuss tequila and mezcal trends, food pairings, share summer cocktail inspirations and more with Food Network Star Guy Fieri!
Topics we will cover:
• Trending Tequila/Mezquila Cocktails
• New Spirits You Should Know
• Cocktail Upselling Techniques
• Activation Ideations for Properties
• Highly recommended Beverage Managers and servers attend.
RUM MASTERCLASS WITH THE WORLD’S LARGEST RUM DISTILLER
August 6th at 4pET
Training Details:
• BACARDÍ has a portfolio that’s the envy of the rum world. From white to dark, premium to everyday options, spiced to aged, you’ll be sure to find a smooth and balanced rum to enjoy as the centerpiece to your favorite cocktail.
• The BACARDÍ Distillery located in San Juan, Puerto Rico is the largest on the planet as it produces 100,000 liters every day. That’s a lot of mojitos!
• To kick off Rum Month, we will share the history of their premium Rum products in our core program such as Santa Teresa -Venezuela's oldest producer of award-winning single-estate rum, delicious recipes, fun facts to get you in the spirit, new products and more!
Topics we will cover:
• Core Mandated Rum Program
• Upselling Techniques for National Rum Month
• Premium Rum and Food Pairings
• Banquet Activation Concepts
• Highly recommended Beverage Managers and servers attend.
PRE-INDUSTRIAL WINEMAKING AT RIDGE VINEYARDS
September 3rd at 4pET
Training Details:
• During California Wine Month, there is a lot of talk in the wine world about “natural” or industrial winemaking- Is it organic and/or biodynamic grape growing? Minimal intervention in the winemaking process?
• Jancis Robinson, one of the UK’s foremost wine critics, has said that over 90% of the wine produced in the world today is “industrial”. Taking off from that statement, the winemaking team at Ridge for the last fifty years prefers to describe what they do as Pre-Industrial.
• During this training, we will discuss what makes this winery iconic, preindustrial winemaking techniques and legendary wines that should be on your wine list!
Topics we will cover:
• Pre-Industrial Winemaking
• Ridge Vineyards History- The Judgement of Paris
• New Release & Library Wines to Have on Your List
• Highly recommended Beverage Managers and servers attend.
PREMIUM WINTER COCKTAIL TRENDS
October 8th at 4pET
Training Details:
• As sparkling beverages and toasty cocktails are in full swing, this can be one of our busiest seasons and it’s a reminder to start thinking about those innovative beverage menu updates.
• In this training we will share luxury winter beverage trends you should know. We will also discuss top selling winter spirits and trendy festive cocktail recipes to keep guests satisfied all season long with our partners from the Gallo Lux Division.
Topics we will cover:
• Trending Winter Cocktails
• Which Spirits Are Selling at our Properties?
• New Spirits You Should Know
• Winter Cocktail Upselling Strategies
• Activation Ideations for Properties
• Highly recommended Beverage Managers and servers attend.
LUXURY ITALIAN WINES: BRUNELLO MASTERCLASS WITH WILSON DANIELS
November 5th at 4pET
Training Details:
• One of the most admired and prestigious Italian wines in the world, the word Brunello is synonymous with the highest quality wine.
• It is one of the most requested premium wines by the market and our core partner Wilson Daniels is thrilled to be sharing their portfolio with our team for this exclusive tasting.
• We will discuss and taste through a premium Brunello lineup from the Wilson Daniels team, cover perfect pairings, activation ideas and get the chance to sip with legendary winemakers from their portfolio. Come ready to sip and learn!
Topics we will cover:
• Discuss Core Mandated Wilson Daniel Wines
• Luxury Wine and Food Pairings
• Tips for Wine Upselling on Property
• Holiday Wine Activations
• Highly recommended Beverage Managers and servers attend.
HOLIDAY CHAMPAGNE CELEBRATION WITH TAITTINGER
December 3rd at 4pET
Training Details:
• Mark your calendar for National Champagne Day in December!
• Being the official Champagne Partner for more than 20 years at the Academy Awards, Taittinger has earned a reputation as being an iconic champagne house.
• Of the 300 million bottles of Champagne produced annually, Taittinger accounts for close to 6 million of them, placing it in the top five houses by production size and is known for their sustainable viticulture methods.
• During our training, we will discuss Champagne upselling strategies with this classic champagne house, perfect pairings, highly allocated bottles and more with our core partner Taittinger Champagne.
Topics we will cover:
• Taittinger Champagne History
• Champagne and Food Pairings
• Luxury Champagne Cocktail Activation Ideas
• New Product Sampling
• Highly recommended Beverage Managers and servers attend.
Jessica Altieri Corporate Director of Beverage, Americas